Why do we so impatiently await Pascha, which arrives and then again departs?  Have we not already celebrated it many times before?  This one will also arrive and depart.  In this present age, there is nothing constant; our days pass by like shadows, life races by like a runner, and this goes on until we reach the end of our present life.  One might ask, “So, should we not rejoice in Pascha?” No, quite to the contrary, let us rejoice in it even more, but in the Pascha that happens every day.  What is that Pascha? Washing away of sins, compunction of the heart, tears of the vigil, a clear conscience, mortification of earthly components – lust, lasciviousness, fornication, passions, evil desires, and all other manner of evil. Whosoever accomplishes all of that celebrates Pascha not once a year, but every day.

Venerable St. Theodore the Studite

Wherefore, then, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; both the first and the second, receive ye your reward.  Ye rich and ye poor, with one another exult.  Ye sober and ye slothful, honor the day.  Ye that have kept the fast and ye that have not, be glad today. The table is full-laden, delight ye all. The calf is fatted; let none go forth hungry.  Let all enjoy the feast of faith; receive all ye the riches of goodness.  Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom hath been revealed.  Let no one weep for his transgressions, for forgiveness hath dawned from the tomb. Let no one fear death, for the death of the Savior hath set us free. He Who had been taken by it hath extinguished it. He hath led hades captive, He Who had descended into hades.  He embittered it, when it tasted of His flesh.  And foretelling this, Isaiah cried: “Hades,” he saith, “from below was embittered to meet Thee …” (Isaiah14:9). It was embittered, for it was abolished.  It was embittered, for it was mocked.  It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown.  It was embittered, for it was fettered. It received a body, and encountered God.  It received earth, and met Heaven.  It received that which it saw, and fell to what it did not see. “O death! Where is thy sting? O hades! Where is thy victory?” (see I Corinthians 15:55). Christ is Risen, and thou art cast down.  Christ is Risen, and the demons are fallen.  Christ is Risen, and the Angels rejoice.  Christ is Risen, and life flourisheth.  Christ is Risen, and there is none dead in the tombs.  For Christ, being Risen from the dead, “…is become the firstfruits of them that slept…” (I Corinthians 15:20).  To Him be glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Hierarch St. John Chrysostom